THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the suspension of the plebiscite in Palawan scheduled for May 11 due to the continuing crisis brought about by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.
In a two-page memorandum, the Comelec en banc approved Tuesday, April 7, the recommendation to postpone the plebiscite for the division of Palawan into three provinces.
The commission noted that Palawan is part of Luzon, which is now under an enhanced community quarantine as a measure to contain the outbreak.
The poll body said it will just issue a new calendar of activities for the Palawan plebiscite once the situation normalizes.
"Applying Section 5 of the OEC (Omnibus Election Code), the plebiscite shall be postponed to a date which should be reasonably close to May 11, 2020 but not later than 30 days after the cessation of the cause for such postponement or until the ECQ is lifted," said the Comelec.
Last month, the commission already suspended all preparatory activities relative to the conduct of the Palawan plebiscite also due to the imposition of the ECQ in Luzon.
"In a health crisis as the Covid-19, the commission is more importantly mandated to protect not only its personnel but the registered voters of the 23 municipalities of the province of Palawan," said the Comelec Law Department in its recommendation.
"At this time, It is logistically impossible to deploy personnel and election paraphernalia necessary for the conduct of the plebiscite," it added.
Republic Act No. 11259 calls for a plebiscite for the creation of Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)